Tales of the Walking Dead (2022–…): Season 1, Episode 4 - Amy/Dr. Everett - full transcript

What we are witnessing

is nature's
great reclamation effort

in our current
geographical epoch.

Within this territory,
demarcated by a 40-foot deep,

200-meter wide man-made trench
spanning hundreds of miles,

the revitalization
of biodiversity rivals

the most diverse ecosystems
of the Holocene.

Uniquely driving this resurgence

is one of the world's
apex predators.

A hunter so capable that it
can hunt alone or in packs.

So unrelenting that
it doesn't sleep.



So lethal, primitive man
ran from its numbers,

abandoning it to this remote
and barren wilderness

known as the Dead Sector.

Speciation of the Homo sapiens

has reduced the human being
to prey

and elevated the Homo mortuus...

A term I have coined
for the dead...

To the top of the food chain.

I've spent years tracking
and trying to understand

the complex migration patterns
of the Homo mortuus,

which are highly manipulated
by the presence of sound,

signaling potential prey.

This is Specimen Sunflower.

She seems to posses
an acute auditory sense,



always one of the first
to react to a disturbance.

Specimen Gamma was one
of my original specimens.

He's managed to endure
various attacks

from both human
and other animal predators.

Then there's Specimen 21.

He has illuminated
my understanding

of the Homo mortuus
more than any other subject.

He is the reason I am able
to get this close to the herd.

They say there's power
in numbers,

and that is especially true
for the Homo mortuus,

who travel in large herds,

sometimes numbering thousands.

The natural food chain
can be very unforgiving,

even for newborns.

But that's the beauty of nature
in its purest form.

There's no right or wrong.

There's just the excruciating
process of life.

Damn it.

The greatest threat to the
Homo mortuusare skull hunters.

They breach the sector
to poach heads as trophies.

Beyond the trench,

mortuusskulls are used
as scare propaganda.

This practice is vile
and barbaric.

There is no shortage
to human depravity.

Hey!

Hey, is somebody there?

Help!

Help!

Oh, God! Aah!

Help!

Aah!

Ow! Ohh!

God.

Help me, please.

Aah!

How'd you do that?

Thank you.

I'm Amy.

You shouldn't be here.

Hey,
where are you going?

Can you help me?
I'm lost.

Are you a mule?

We got attacked.
I got separated from my group.

I've been on my own for,
I don't know, like,

three to five days now.

I feel like crap.

Everything hurts.

My arm, I've got this headache,
and God, my stomach

feels like someone's
punching me from the inside out.

I know
what you're thinking.

I didn't get bit
or anything.

Ugh.

God, do you have
any painkillers?

I'll take
anything you got.

Hey!

Did you hear
what I just said?

I'm not a thief.

I'm not gonna rob you
or anything,

if that's what
you're afraid of.

I don't work
with humans.

Asshole.

I know you're up there.

I just need a couple minutes
of your time.

I just have to figure out
how to get to...

...of your time, please.

Let me up!

Let me up!

Yeah, you really gonna leave me
down here, huh?

Aah!

Looks like it's you and me now,
friend.

Look, I get that you don't
want to help,

but if I were
in your shoes, I would.

What's the point of going
through all that effort

to save my life just to leave me
out here as bait, huh?

My stomach is really killing me.

I feel like crap.

You know, maybe this is the end.

Maybe I just die here
on your doorstep.

If so, just be careful
when you open the door,

because I'll probably
have turned by then.

Sorry if I take a chunk
out of your neck.

I apologize in advance.

Wake up.

Wake up.

You need to drink this.

What is it?

Charcoal water, spiraea,
ginger, turmeric,

Frankincense oil.

Yeah, I'm not gonna
keep that down.

Hey,
what are you doing?

Ah.

Nightshade berries.

Poisonous when not fully ripe.

You've been slowly killing
yourself for the last few days,

so you can drink,
or die.

It's up to you.

The next 24 hours are gonna be
pretty unpleasant

for the both of us.

But mostly you.

My stomach
feels a lot better.

Headache's gone, too.
Thanks.

Sorry if I kept you up
last night.

I had these really weird
fever dreams,

and then when I woke up,
you were gone.

Where did you go?

I had things to do.

Oh.

You know, you were right.

Last night was rough.

I was puking so hard, it was
like my butt got sucked up

through my esophagus and started
firing backwards, like...

Just coming out of my mouth.

That is not how the digestive
system works.

Yeah, that's why I said

"it was like my butt got sucked
up through my esophagus."

What's that?

It's a telemetry antenna.

What does it do?

I have to finish this.

Homo erect us, right?

How'd you know that?

On a scavenging run,
we found on old school,

grabbed some books...
Biology, chemistry, algebra.

My favorite thing is the bird
section in the biology book.

Yeah.

I love birds.

You're a little trigger happy
with the chompers, huh?

Chompers?

Oh.
Yeah, that's what we call them.

I found Homo mortuusbodies,
stacked up, missing heads.

Homo mortuus?

Is that what you call...

Are you a skull hunter?

No, that's not me.
I don't hunt skulls.

Okay.
I swear.

Then what
are you doing here?

Um, I'm with a group trying
to resettle the Dead Sector.

The skull hunters help us
get past the trench.

Humans don't
belong here.

That's the point
of the trench.

You ever cross over?

You ever seen how bad it is
on the other side?

Yeah, it's crazy that we just
abandoned so much up to them.

That's the problem
with Homo sapiens.

All we do is take, take, take,
until there's nothing left,

and then once nature
corrects the damage,

we go back
and do it all over again.

I'm confused. Are you arguing
for chompers or for nature?

They're one
and the same now.

God, dude, you have been
out here alone for way too long.

I think it's time
for you to leave.

Well, I don't know
where I'm going.

I got turned around.
I don't know how to get back.

Yeah, well, next time,
bring a map.

You have a lot of photos
of Specimen 21.

Did you know him?

Please, just leave.

Like, is he your friend?
Is that why you're here?

If not, it's...
It's just a little weird

that you're stalking
some random chomper.

I am studying
the Homo mortuus.

Everything from
their behavior psychology

to migration patterns.

Specimen 21 is a subject.

That's all.
What psychology?

They don't do anything
other than walk around

and try to kill us.
There, study done.

You know, you can ascertain
a lot of information

just by observing.

For example, I witnessed
Specimen 21 killing a wild dog,

and instead of
consuming his prey,

he left it behind
for the trailing herd.

I found his actions to be a
selfless display of generosity.

Yeah, or else, maybe he
just sensed some other prey.

Another simplification.

He's done it
twice in a row,

and my analytic mind
questions why.

Instinctively,
he's a protector,

making sure the rest of the herd
is taken care of.

Yeah, seems like
someone that you knew.

You're fixated
on the wrong thing.

This is about the science.

Science is how we survive,
or don't.

Science is the basis of life
on this planet.

Science over everything.

Yeah, doesn't really sound
like science to me.

Sounds like some weird
personal quest.

Your interpretation of
my actions is not relevant.

So, what's the plan?

You just follow him
forever into the future?

I lost track of him
yesterday

after you damaged
his transmitter.

Oh.

Sorry.

I need to find him,
retag him,

and get him back to the herd
before something happens to him.

So, when you were saving me
yesterday,

were you really
saving him?

'Cause that's
really messed up.

It's time to go.

Can you at least point me
in the direction

of the Chattahoochee?

They were heading
east of there.

Gee, thanks.

You should know
you're wasting your time

trying to
settle this place.

I hope you realize that

before nature has
its final say.

Goodbye.
Don't come back.

Hey.

I spent the afternoon
with your friend. Nice guy.

What are you doing here?

No, I wasn't joking.

I really did fine
your specimen friend.

Where? Is he safe?

Mm.

Yeah, he's safe,
as far as I know.

Where is he?

Well, I could tell you,
but I think it would be nicer

if you help me
find my group.

Oh, no, that's okay.

That's fine. Yeah.

No, suit yourself.
That's okay.

Wait, wait.

Did you think about
what I told you?

Mm, about what?

You don't want
to live here.

It's not safe.

Well, it's dangerous
everywhere.

I could die here
just as easily

as I could die
on the other side.

My people are kind, okay?

We're not trying
to hurt anyone.

We look out for each other,
and at end of the day,

we're just trying
to find a place

to call our home
that can sustain us.

I-I know you've
been out here an your own

for a really long time, so maybe
you don't get it, but...

my community means
everything to me.

We'll leave
at first light.

Oh.

I made markings
on the trees,

tracked them for as long
as I could.

Surprising forethought. Yeah, I'm not an idiot.

I didn't say you were. Well, your tone did.

I apologize.

Oh. Yeah, accepted.

Can I ask you something?

What's the point
of your research?

What are you getting out
of all of this?

Let me show
you something.

Whoa.

It's like
a different world.

The animals that escaped
the zoos are thriving here.

Oh, they're so bright.

You know, I read that mom
and dad flamingos

produce this weird milk
in their throat,

and then they spit it
into their baby's mouth.

Like, first of all,
disgusting, but also,

how did they even
figure that out?

That's the marvel
of nature.

Majestic, aren't they?

Yeah, it's stunning.

And... And that's
all here?

Yeah.

And they've even gotten
bigger by 5%, even 10%.

Why?

Because humans
don't exist here.

I was part of a research group
studying the environment

since the shift.

Unfortunately, disagreements
fractured our group.

We gave up our lives
for this study.

I have to honor that.

There's a lot more
to learn.

So, in a way, you're doing this
for your own community.

You're determined to filter
everything through

your narrow perspective.

What my team
and I understood

is that Homo mortuus
are part of nature.

Like 21 and that chomper
surrounded by caution tape?

What's that about?

You know,
she's fascinating.

I've been observing her
for over seven years.

My job is to observe,
collect data,

analyze it,
and never interfere.

Uh...
Never.

You interfered with me when
I almost killed you specimen.

Yeah, I had no choice
but to protect my research.

I made a judgement call.

You know, you think you're
a lot more objective,

but you're way more
sentimental than you think.

Well, sentiment
is a hindrance.

Ah. You know, I've lost
so many people.

At night, sometimes
I cry myself to sleep

just thinking about them,
but the memories...

They're all that's left.

If I didn't
have those memories,

I would have given up
a long time ago.

Human connection
is all we have.

Yeah?

Well, you should connect
on the other side, not here.

You know what this is?

Mm, a bear rug that
you turned into a jacket?

My friend who I used to research
with gave me this.

Oh. Yeah, I kind of think
he doesn't like you very much.

It's made out of
Homo mortuusskin.

It's how I can get so close
to the herd and be left alone.

As long as I'm careful,
I'll be safe.

That's why they didn't
follow us, huh?

Right.
Huh.

Yeah, you know, I read a poem
about how we wear masks.

Your jacket kind of
reminds me of that.

You like poetry?
Yeah.

Can you believe it?

I read.

I just have the one book
of poetry, though.

I've read it like
a million times.

I have an extensive
collection,

if you'd like to borrow
one sometime.

So, what happens to chompers
if we all die?

I mean,
they don't reproduce,

so that means
they'll eventually rot out,

and that's not sustainable
for a species.

That's an astute
observation.

It's clearly
a paradox.

However,
I will say this.

Homo mortuuswill exist
as long as humans are around,

which puts our survival
in question.

I mean, yeah, I-I get
what you're saying.

I just... I just don't think
it's that s...

What?

It's a Victoria
crowned pigeon.

My book said that they're on
the verge of extinction.

Hi.
You're so beautiful.

Hi.

You're alive.

You're right here.

No. Oh, no.

Oh, no, no.

We may never agree,

but I can tell you
care about nature.

What if I told you
I could use help?

With what?

An assistant to aid
with the research.

I won't live forever.

You could take over the work
when I'm gone.

Yeah, and live
like a recluse?

You would be surrounded
by all of this splendor.

Your personal Eden.

Counter... what if you came
to live with my people?

And aid in the destruction
of nature all over again?

No, it doesn't have to be
like that.

We can learn
from the past

and build a new type
of settlement.

I've lost my faith in humans. Yeah?

Well, I think
you're just scared.

Scared?
Scared of what?

You shitting on people is just
an excuse not to do anything.

You want to fix things?
Start with my group.

I promise you, every single
one of us will listen.

It's not that simple. Why not?

Well, maybe your group
does do the right thing,

but what about
the generation after?

You don't even want to try
because of a "what if"?

We can respect the science

and care for people
at the same time.

One without the other
is just stupid.

So, don't tell me
since over everything,

because that's just
a sorry excuse.

You think I'm callous,
that I don't care about people.

That's not true.

Yeah? Well, all you've done
is shit on us

and say how
we're the worst.

After I lost my team,
I wandered around for two years

until I found
the ranger's station.

I-I climbed up,
knocked on the door, it opened,

and the face that greeted me
stirred up emotions

I never
even know I had.

Who was it?

A former colleague of mine.
Dr. Moseley.

When our research team
fell out,

he was the first one
to go off on his own.

I never thought he'd survive,
and there he was,

continuing his work.

I'd given up hope.

I was ready to die.

Finding him
was like a rebirth.

And then some months in,

I noticed changes
in Dr. Moseley.

He grew weaker.

He tired easily.

He was losing weight.

Then finally, when
I confronted him,

he told me
he was dying of cancer.

He made me promise to not
kill him, but to study him.

Dr. Moseley is Specimen 21.

So, you do know him.
Why did you say you didn't?

It's imperative that
with one study,

you remain as objective
as possible.

Are these your people?

Oh, yeah.

What the hell is this?

Okay, okay,
I can explain.

You lied to me!
No, no, no.

Look, the skull hunters
would only help us cross

under the condition that
we helped them collect heads.

That's Hannah.

Hannah! Pat!

No.
You can't interfere.

Let nature
take its course.

We're part of
the food chain now.

No!
Are you crazy?

This isn't about science!

Let go!

Chompers!
Hey, I'm over here!

Shh!

Aah!

Ow!

No!

It's 21.

Amy. Please. Please.
Help me.

He went in the water,
You got to help me save him.

You left my friends
to die.

I'm sorry. I'm selfish.
I know.

You got to help me...
Help me save my subject.

I'll do anything.
I'll be in your group.

I'll... I'll live
in your community.

Yeah. Well, what happened
to don't interfere, huh?

Aah!

Ah!

Oh!

What are you doing?!

I have to get him.

No, no, you can't
swim out there.

You'll freeze! No, he needs me.

No, you'll die! He needs me!

God!

Are you serious
right now?

Just... Just... Let me...
Here, help me pull him in, okay?

Oh. Damn it!

Ah!

I got it!
I got... I got him!

Here, here, pull.
Please, please pull.

Gently. Gently.

Slowly.

Hurry, it's starting to
coming apart.

You're gonna be okay.
You're gonna be okay.

It's gonna be safe, okay?

Oh!
Oh, my God!

No! No.Let go.

No, no. Let go!
Let go!

Ah!

Ah! No!

No! No!

You hypocrite!

My friends died
because of you,

then you almost
get us both killed

because you were trying
to save a chomper?!

He's not a...
Shut up!

Just shut up!

You don't believe
in anything!

You make your own rules
to fit your agenda,

but you didn't
lift a finger!

You just watched
as we got eaten!

I didn't do anything

because your friends
are already dead.

You all are. What are you talking about?

They sense death.

They're waiting to eat.

Oh, no. Hannah.
Hannah. Hannah.

Hannah.
She's heading back.

No, no, wait, wait.
Wait.

Homo mortuuspacks
join bigger packs,

and so on,
until they form a big mass.

The one you killed
and Specimen 21

was most likely on his way
to join the herd,

and they stumbled
upon your friends.

Your settlement is
in the pathway

of their migration route.

None of your people
are gonna make it out.

Okay. Okay, well... we...
We have to warn them.

It's too late.
It's too late.

If you go back there,
you will die.

You knew my people
were in danger all along,

and you didn't
say anything.

I did say something!

I told you that this land
wasn't safe.

You didn't listen.

And so you're just gonna
let them die?

No! Nature is.

Come back to the station
with me.

You're smart.
I could use your help.

There is still
a lot to learn.

If you go back
to try to save them,

you will meet their fate.

Well, I would rather die
than to end up like you.

No.

Video log,
coded 4306, observations.

As I lay awake,

Emily Dickinson's poem
replayed in my head.

Over and over again.

"'Nature' is what we see.

The Hill.

The Afternoon.

Squirrel.

Eclipse.

The bumble bee.

Nature is Heaven.

Nature is what we hear.

The Bobolink.

The Sea.

The Cricket.

Nay.

Nature is Harmony.

Nature is what we know.

Yet have no art to say.

So impotent Our Wisdom is...

...to her Simplicity."

- Killer!
- Murderer!

- What?
- We will find you!

What the hell
is going on?

This place is
not for you or anyone.

How could you?

What are you doing?

I can't remember
everything,

but I'm not a killer.

He's evil! He has to pay
for what he did to my son!

Wait!

Sometimes,
murder is mercy.